EMPORIA – Opponents are vowing to reverse a split vote by the Lyon County Commission to merge that county’s Extension office with the Frontier Extension District, which covers Franklin and Osage counties. Lyon County Clerk Tammy Vopat said she’s heard from a group that plans to circulate protest petitions to force an election on the merger. She said if they’re successful, a special question would be put on the primary ballot in August. Vopat said that under state law, the opponents can’t start circulating their petitions until Thursday. Supporters say the merger will allow the Lyon County office to expand its programs and offer a wider variety of Extension experts while cutting duplication. Opponents of the merger say that there’s no cap on how much property taxes by the extension district can be raised and that Lyon County taxpayers would end up paying most of the costs of the extension district while having only one-third of the board members.
Monday, Jan. 16, 10 a.m.
